America’s dark side

Thursday, March 16, 2017

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During the past eight years the occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, for the most part, have modeled respect, kindless, humility and intelligence.

This positive energy has been like a refreshing spring breeze. But now our country is in transition, and very unpredictable harsh winds are blowing. Someone needs to secure the Presidential china because the apprentice bull is loose in the White house.

Although I was a therapist for 37 years, Donald Trump thankfully was not one of my clients, so I don’t' know the details of his story.

However, he lives in a public fish bowl where his words and actions are closely monitored. Thus it doesn't take a rocket scientist, I mean therapist, to observe signs of troubling behavior. The layman need to consult the DSM-V(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to see the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Attention-deficit Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder. Just look and listen to his activities over time.

A pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, exploitation of others, repeated lying, and a lack of empathy and remorse are seemingly central to “The Donald.” Among his statements are “Obama is not an American,” “I know more than the generals, “The intelligence community is acting like Nazis,” “Meryl Streep is overrated,” “Look what happened in Sweden,” etc, etc. There appears to be no filter or thoughtfulness with many of his statements, tweets and orders as he impulsively conveys inconsistent and often hurtful information. His staff and family are very busy scrambling with damage control.

Trump the salesman has manipulated America's dark side by stirring up fear, anger and hatred.

The Great Recession, automation and globalization have trashed the American dream for many folks and Trump has taken advantage of this pain.

No doubt someone is now writing the book “Art of the Con.”

America is now stuck with a very unpredictable and troubled President.

We're all in for a period of high stress and “crazy making.” Hopefully our Constitution will withstand the pressure and we'll survive “Dysfunction Junction” in the White House.

As a therapist I always counseled folks to separate a person from his/her troubled behavior, and then confront the latter.

No doubt Donald Trump is a wounded human being, like many of us. Trump has tapped into America's collective dark side, and we need to put bright lights on the shadow and acknowledge the pain. Rather than get dragged down into the painful drama, folks need to seek the high road and confront negative energy with positive.